Aurelie Rita Berretta

January 1, 1945 -- Friday, August 8, 2025.

The world is a lot quieter today. Our family can say this to each other with a smile – even though we know why it’s so very quiet. Aurelie was the insanely chatty and enthusiastically friendly light of our world.

Aurelie was born on January 1, 1945, to Rita (Corrigan) Schweitzer and Patrick Joyce. So great was Aurelie’s life to be that she made newspaper headlines as the first baby born in 1945 in Parkchester, Bronx, New York. She died in Portland, Oregon, on August 8, 2025.

Aurelie married Andrea Berretta on September 11, 1971, in an outdoor ceremony in New Jersey. The stories tell of pouring rain, accordion playing, and thunder and lightning as they said I DO.

Our mom’s heart was enormous and strong, filled with unconditional love for her family, friends, and complete strangers that she met at the grocery store. Her heart was full of the joys of growing up in New York, raising her children in Texas, and moving at last in 2002 to Tigard, Oregon, which meant frequent visits to her beloved Oregon Coast. Her heart could hold it all.

She would remind us at every opportunity that she was 100% Irish and, just in case you forgot, from New York. Did you know she got a police escort to middle school after missing her bus stop and ending up in Jamaica, a borough of Queens, in NYC? Did you know she was caught in the great blackout of November 9, 1965, but arrived safely home to the relief of family looking out the window to the street below? And, just in case you forgot, did you know our mom is from New York?

Where is Aurelie now? She is everywhere. Cruising along the highway in her CRV headed to Yachats. Parked in her favorite armchair devouring yet another book. Cooking the most delicious meal you can imagine. Inspecting every piece of produce at New Seasons like it was a work of art. Driving through the Rainbow Tunnel and across the Golden Gate Bridge. She is everywhere.

Aurelie is survived by her husband Andrea Berretta, sister Kathleen Kelty, her three children Sean Berretta (Melinda), Cristina Berretta (Drew), and Colleen Berretta, and her best friend Sherry Harrigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rita and Patrick, and her dear friend Carolyn Loftin.

Thank you to the NTICU staff and Medical Specialties Unit at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.